For a beginner ....

[SilverClaw]

Shamanism is something I have always had a draw to and have learned a little bit about before many years ago, however I was wondering from people here, where and how do you actually get started in your Shamanism path? Do you need a teacher or is it something you can do on your own?

[~ lowlinora ~]

Shamanism I something I have always had a draw to and have learned a little bit about before many years ago, however I was wondering from people here, where and how do you actually get started in your Shamanism path? Do you need a teacher or is it something you can do on your own?



DITTO!

[SilverClaw]

Hello lowlinora ~:wave:

One other thing I forgot to add is I have noticed in the past , like with most things people whom I have talked to about shaman ism seem to have their own way of doing things and such..... So my question is are there many Shamanim paths? I know there are a few culture's that have their types of Shamans ,but I was wondering if there are more ? Blah hope this made sense.

[Shawn Blackwolf]

Well , now...

There are different approaches...

There is an approach , where one who shows signs of being
" different " in a tribal setting , is taken aside , and trained...

There is the approach of those who feel the soul calling , and
seek out a teacher , or attempt to learn on their own , and , shall
we say , " make contact " with the " otherside" , and the Spirit World...

And then there is the approach...Of the Spirits approaching you ,
and choosing you...and it can be dangerous to refuse , as many have
found to their detriment...

I , myself , fall under the third category...And , as I have learned , as
they continue to teach me ...My Spiret Helpers...

" Resistance Is Futile" ...:fpraise:

[SilverClaw]

Shawn Blackwolf thanks for your post.
In looking at your post I fit under this one

There is the approach of those who feel the soul calling , and
seek out a teacher , or attempt to learn on their own , and , shall
we say , " make contact " with the " otherside" , and the Spirit World...I have had encounters during meditations with a Wolf and a lady. there were things that happened with Ravens as well...... not sure if these would fall under a Shamans path but I feel that need to explore them again and I am surprised I remember these two things as well as I do since some of this happened over 7 years ago.






" Resistance Is Futile" ...:fpraise: :lol: ok I will remember that :D

[Vigdisdotter]

how do you actually get started in your Shamanism path? Do you need a teacher or is it something you can do on your own?

Well that depends :) are you speaking of human teachers? If so then no. Though I have to admit, it sure makes things easier.

All Shamans or those who are shamanic practitioners WILL have spirit teachers just as a mater of course....unless they are simply going through the motions and not actually trying to touch the Other Worlds.

ETA: in the end, whether you have a human teacher or not it's a path you HAVE to follow by yourself, no one can do the work for you.

As for where I got started....I'm honestly not sure what came first. There were the books, the personal inspiration, my totem, and then a whole litany of various spirits and actual experiences.

And somewhere in there was my own shamanic "death" which it took me years to recognize as such. And no, it wasn't pleasant, but I am stronger for it and wouldn't want it another way :)

[Juniper138]

A lot of people add Shamanic practices to their own spiritual path. There are a number of books and workshops and such available for this.
But if you are to be a Shaman, you are called. By the gods, by your totems, by your ancestors and such. It is a call you can ignore...for a while. There really is no choice in the matter, if they want you, eventually you will surrender. Becoming a Shaman is a surrender.
In tribal societies, and those today who still have Shamanism in their culture, the resident Shaman will recognize those who have been called, or those who have been called will seek out an experienced Shaman. For guiding, but not truly teaching. The teaching is done in the Otherworlds, by your gods, totems, ancestors and so forth.
If you truly feel you have been called, Id suggest picking up a few of the books available on the subject and trying out some of the excersies in them, Id also put the question forth to my god (etc) at my altar. I'd also start paying very close attention to my dreams. And work on my meditation skills.
I have surrendered and experienced the Shamanic death...I caution anyone interested in this path to study it, do your research and think hard about whether or not you want to seek this out. This is no Path filled with fun and games. And for those who have been called, you can run, but you cannot hide from your calling.

[Shanti]

I agree some are picked, and by their very own spirit sometimes.
I didn't want nor know what this ability was that was tossed upon me.
I do not call myself shaman because I belong to no tribe, no tradition.
I am a WBR (walker between the realms).
Its just something I do thats is no different than anyone else that has a ability with non-physical aspects.
Not special, just an ability.

[Eleisawolf]

I agree some are picked, and by their very own spirit sometimes.
I didn't want nor know what this ability was that was tossed upon me.
I do not call myself shaman because I belong to no tribe, no tradition.
I am a WBR (walker between the realms).
Its just something I do thats is no different than anyone else that has a ability with non-physical aspects.
Not special, just an ability.

I like the way you put this, Shanti, and I agree with it.

I have a problem with people from non-Ekanki (previously known as the Tungus peoples of Siberia, now called Ekanki) cultures calling themselves Shaman, though any number of people all over the world use similar practices. Thing is, the Ekanki people are still out there, and they alone have Shamanic culture and were the ones who named it such. Though I may use similar practices, if I am not of their culture or religion, I refuse to call myself by the name of their religious leaders. And, as I said, any number of tribes around the world have similar practices, but they do not call it Shamanism. They call it by their own tribal names. Why is that not respected? Why are those names lost by those of us who don't speak their languages, but would rather fit all tribal peoples into one little box (for convenience, perhaps)?

To me, that's like saying that because I use wine and unleavened bread for the offering part of my ritual, I must be Christian, even though I may know nothing of the history or development of Christianity or how one truly commits to the community (body and blood) of Christ through the practice of the Eucharist. Or because I refuse to eat pork and have read the Talmud, I must be Jewish, even though I have not undertaken the path of acceptance into that culture. If you simply read the Mabinogion, and meditate on Cerridwen's cauldron until you dream of drowning in it, without having any connection with other Druids and the process of taking on the druidic orders, does that make you a Druid?

One can use spiritual practices in common with the Shamans of the Ekanki tribes... but that does not make one a Shaman. To think otherwise without acknowledgement by the tribe whose culture really is that of the Shaman is yet another rape of a cultural tradition belonging to those who are impotent to stop the theft. Note: Did you ever wonder why Native American Indians don't call their spiritual leaders Shamans? It's because they aren't. Some day, maybe non-Native people who think they have a right to call themselves Shamans might consider asking them what their language calls such people.

I use some practices and have had some experiences that are similar to those of Shamans and other types of animists. But I am not Ekanki and have not even been exposed to their culture. Nor do I have the responsibility of carrying the spiritual decisions of ANY tribe, let alone the Ekanki peoples. Therefore, I cannot call myself Shaman. I do not have a name in my culture for that, but I'm not going to steal someone else's. I like Shanti's "WBR." That works well, and it's from my language.

Because I admire the people who are Shaman, I want to offer them the respect of recognizing their unique place in the world. We have things in common, but they are unique in the way they practice. I respect that.

Just MHO.

Peace

[Shanti]

I like the way you put this, Shanti, and I agree with it.

I have a problem with people from non-Ekanki (previously known as the Tungus peoples of Siberia, now called Ekanki) cultures calling themselves Shaman, though any number of people all over the world use similar practices. Thing is, the Ekanki people are still out there, and they alone have Shamanic culture and were the ones who named it such. Though I may use similar practices, if I am not of their culture or religion, I refuse to call myself by the name of their religious leaders. And, as I said, any number of tribes around the world have similar practices, but they do not call it Shamanism. They call it by their own tribal names. Why is that not respected? Why are those names lost by those of us who don't speak their languages, but would rather fit all tribal peoples into one little box (for convenience, perhaps)?

To me, that's like saying that because I use wine and unleavened bread for the offering part of my ritual, I must be Christian, even though I may know nothing of the history or development of Christianity or how one truly commits to the community (body and blood) of Christ through the practice of the Eucharist. Or because I refuse to eat pork and have read the Talmud, I must be Jewish, even though I have not undertaken the path of acceptance into that culture. If you simply read the Mabinogion, and meditate on Cerridwen's cauldron until you dream of drowning in it, without having any connection with other Druids and the process of taking on the druidic orders, does that make you a Druid?

One can use spiritual practices in common with the Shamans of the Ekanki tribes... but that does not make one a Shaman. To think otherwise without acknowledgement by the tribe whose culture really is that of the Shaman is yet another rape of a cultural tradition belonging to those who are impotent to stop the theft. Note: Did you ever wonder why Native American Indians don't call their spiritual leaders Shamans? It's because they aren't. Some day, maybe non-Native people who think they have a right to call themselves Shamans might consider asking them what their language calls such people.

I use some practices and have had some experiences that are similar to those of Shamans and other types of animists. But I am not Ekanki and have not even been exposed to their culture. Nor do I have the responsibility of carrying the spiritual decisions of ANY tribe, let alone the Ekanki peoples. Therefore, I cannot call myself Shaman. I do not have a name in my culture for that, but I'm not going to steal someone else's. I like Shanti's "WBR." That works well, and it's from my language.

Because I admire the people who are Shaman, I want to offer them the respect of recognizing their unique place in the world. We have things in common, but they are unique in the way they practice. I respect that.

Just MHO.

Peace
I agree with you too.
I am trying to accept that today people are using the word shaman out of its original origin. Its becoming a new term for many things.

I am a little uncomfortable with its usage today, I was very uncomfortable not to long ago, but I know its changing with the times.

I personally, in my heart, I will not change the word.
Thus I don't use it to label myself because I know it isn't accurate.

I dont even practice for anyone, except a very few who have come to me. Other than that 99% is of my own journeys for learning for myself. That is not Shaman.

I worked with an NA medicine man. He did the same thing as I, journeyed. But he did it for his clan, I don't. He did it under traditional style, I do not.
He was a healer of his people, I am not and I have no people.
We worked together because he wanted to use his skills to help me understand mine. We did the same thing, journey, but in totally different fashion.
We are not the same, similar, but not the same.
I am no more a medicine man than I am a Shaman.
I am exactly what I found to call it, a WBR. :)

What others use the term for, is not for me to judge.
As it is becoming a common term, I just am working on accepting the change.
I just have no interest in adopting this change for myself.
I'll stick with WBR. :)

[SilverClaw]

Well that depends :) are you speaking of human teachers? If so then no. Though I have to admit, it sure makes things easier.ok that is good to know, I have had two people who started helping me learn , but I was not sure if that was necessary or not.



All Shamans or those who are shamanic practitioners WILL have spirit teachers just as a mater of course....unless they are simply going through the motions and not actually trying to touch the Other Worlds. So could my experiences with Raven, and Bear and this old woman and Wolf be my teachers? Everytime I mention them or see them I get this strong feeling with in it is hard to describe.


. I'd also start paying very close attention to my dreams. And work on my meditation skills. Well my dreams have been as odd and dealing with some insecurites as of late but nothing so far regarding messages of any types.

As for meditation skills ya that is something that I have improved on immensely over the years. The Old Woman and Wolf came to me in a mediation exercise from some the first person who was teaching about Shamanism and journeying.




I have surrendered and experienced the Shamanic death... . I recall hearing about a Shamans death before and to be carful .... man I just got a lot to refresh my mind about I think :)

Whoa I just realised something, when the mention of books... i had a book on Shamanism from the library but was not able to read it.... I have no clue even why at that point I got it .... Think I am going to have to go find it again.

Sorry for rambling . :)

[Eleisawolf]

What others use the term for, is not for me to judge.
As it is becoming a common term, I just am working on accepting the change.
I just have no interest in adopting this change for myself.
I'll stick with WBR. :)

I am trying to come to terms with this as well. Language changes and we all adopt words from other cultures to reflect meanings that have not existed in our own until that first foreign encounter... so even with my own dislikes, I try to remember that others have their own ways. I just sometimes wonder how the originators of the word feel about how it is being used. I try to be sensitive when I can.

Then again, I am a Libra...

:yayah:

Thanks, Shanti, for much to think about.

Peace

[SilverClaw]

Originally Posted by Shanti [original] (http://www.mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?p=3178700#post3178700)

What others use the term for, is not for me to judge.
As it is becoming a common term, I just am working on accepting the change.
I just have no interest in adopting this change for myself.
I'll stick with WBR. :)

you know I just had this weird feeling rush through me and the name of traveler or travelling one came to me :) And I personally feel at this point in my exploration that is what I feel comfortable being called or labelled as.

[Simply Puzzled]

you know I just had this weird feeling rush through me and the name of traveler or travelling one came to me :) And I personally feel at this point in my exploration that is what I feel comfortable being called or labelled as.

I've mentioned the book a couple of times because it is a good book, and I highly recommend it: Dr. Michael Harner's The Way of the Shaman. He and I have some serious differences of opinion, but when you're as opinionated as I am, that's not uncommon. If you want to start journeying, this is a great way to do it. I also recommend Aaron Leitch's article. I've had trouble with the method, but others have had great success: http://kheph777.tripod.com/art_astralview.html. Aaron Leitch practices a type of ceremonial magic he sees as evolved from shamanism (a topic I am purposefully saving to later). Now you can grab a drumming cd: http://www.shamanism.org/products/audio.html.

Now, start journeying. Journey, journey, journey. That's the best way to learn. As you journey, you're going to meet spirit teachers in the other world, and you can start learning the rest of what you need to know from them.

[SilverClaw]

Now, start journeying. Journey, journey, journey. That's the best way to learn. As you journey, you're going to meet spirit teachers in the other world, and you can start learning the rest of what you need to know from them.
I wil I will and thanks for those sources to :)

[Zhr Morgana]

Wow there is a lot of great information here. I'm also interested in learning more about this path. Thanks Hymnia for starting this thread.

[SilverClaw]

Wow there is a lot of great information here. I'm also interested in learning more about this path. Thanks Hymnia for starting this thread. Cool ah I mean your welcome and I look forward to the off- forum chats about it as well as here :D